Steven Michael Arntzen

Steven (Steve) M. Arntzen of Fruita, Colorado was born on September 21, 1954 to Donald and Phyllis (Lindberg) Arntzen in Escanaba, Michigan. He grew up in Palatine, Illinois with his two brothers David and Daniel Arntzen. Steve attended William Fremd High School in Palatine until moving to Chicago with his family, where he attended and graduated from William Howard Taft High School in 1972. Steve received his Bachelor's degree from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois in 1976. After graduating from college, he worked as the Assistant Credit Manager, and then Commercial Lending Officer at Lake View Bank in Chicago, where he met his wife, Cindy. Steve worked as a Commercial Lender and Business Banker throughout his career. He furthered his education, earning certificates from both the Madison, Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking and the Norman, Oklahoma Graduate School of Commercial Lending.

Steve married Cindy Hinrichs on September 26, 1981 in Bennett, Iowa. The couple lived in Chicago, Illinois until relocating to Wisconsin to start their family in 1982. Over the next 40 years, the Arntzens lived in Appleton, Baraboo, and Menomonie, Wisconsin where they raised two daughters, Katie and Julie. After retiring, they moved to Fruita, Colorado in August of 2022.

Steve believed strongly in community service. He was a member and past president of the Menomonie Rotary Club, served on his local Junior Achievement USA board for sixteen years, was on the Menomonie Library Board, and most recently served as a Powderhorn Mountain Host. Steve was on the Afton Alps Ski Patrol for over twenty years where he taught numerous ski patrollers the ropes as a Senior Patroller, Assistant Patrol Director, and leader of a variety of Patrol training events. He took being a first responder and first aid medic very seriously and was always willing to lend a hand.

Steve had the personality and natural charisma to make friends no matter the situation. His standard response to “How are you today?” was “I’m having the time of my life–” and he was.

He loved being outside hiking, biking, and skiing. He enjoyed pushing himself to the limits and would try anything including triathlons, skydiving, surfing, rafting, and scuba. Some of his favorite adventures included exploring the back bowls of ski resorts, mountain biking in the Grand Valley, and introducing his grandchildren to the outdoors.

Steve, the most loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather is survived by his wife Cindy; daughters Katie and Julie; grandchildren Leo, Callum, and Sylvie; and brother Dan. He is preceded in death by his parents Donald and Phyllis Arntzen and brother Dave Arntzen.

Donations in Steve’s name can be made to the National Ski Patrol (nsp.org) or to the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association (https://copmoba.org/).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MartinMortuary.com for the Arntzen family.